Record Heat Waves in India May Be Over

This year’s heatwave in India has been the longest since records began. The Indian government declared the heat waves after temperatures reached 45^o Celsius. By the end of the century, the region could experience temperatures as high as the 2010 event. But, the hot spell in India may be over. Climate scientists are still debating the exact cause of the extreme temperatures. Climate scientists recommend a combination of changes to reduce the risks of heatwaves.

Temperatures will continue to rise, and wet-bulb temperatures are expected to become more dangerous in South Asia. Already, temperatures have been increased in some areas, including Delhi, with two places exceeding 50^o C. There have also been reports of increased fire risk. Satellites have detected significant increases in fire hotspots, and one fire in a landfill outside of New Delhi spewed toxic fumes that caused a school to close.

At the core of the heatwave, northern India experienced temperatures above 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45.1^o C). Other cities, such as Banda, Prayagraj, and Bhopal, registered temperatures higher than 116^o F (47.4^o C). More heatwaves are forecast to hit northern India in the days ahead, with temperatures expected to rise again by the month. Earlier heat waves in the Indian subcontinent lasted from April to June, but this is the first time such an early heat wave occurred so early in the year.

A few months ago, India saw one of its hottest March temperatures. This year, April will join it in the top five most-hot months in the country. In northwestern India, the weather was the hottest in April since 1896. Meanwhile, Jacobabad, Pakistan, was 122^o F warmer than the hottest April in 1881. These heatwave records are alarming not only for the highs but also for the duration.

In March 2022, India will witness ten times more heatwaves than usual. The heatwave is likely to intensify if human-induced climate change continues unabated. Scientists say human-induced climate change is behind this trend, with temperatures in India rising more than 1.5^o Celsius over the next two decades. The worst-case scenario for human emissions of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The report also said that extreme heat events could increase by 50-70% by 2100.

While many people in India are suffering from the extreme heat, Pakistan is also experiencing a heatwave that is more extreme than ever. In one town, Turbat, which is regarded as one of the world’s hottest cities, the temperatures were at least 54^o on Friday, making it feel like early April. The heatwave is also adding to the massive energy crisis in India. The town barely receives electricity, and residents have nine hours of load shedding per day. Because of this, residents of Turbat have no air conditioners or refrigerators.

The heatwave has had critical knock-on effects in India and Pakistan. Power outages for two-thirds of households in India and up to 12 hours in Pakistan, cutting off cooling when people most need it. Heat has increased dust and ozone levels in many cities. Mountain glaciers have melted faster than usual in Pakistan, triggering flash floods. Meanwhile, ongoing political and economic disruptions are hindering the response to the heatwave.